Hollywood stars gathered at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Saturday night for the 57th NAACP Image Awards, celebrating excellence across film, television, music and literature. The ceremony honoured achievements while also recognising social impact and community advocacy.
Viola Davis received the NAACP Chairman’s Award, delivering a heartfelt speech on resilience, self-worth and collective progress. “There is no becoming without healing and without a radical acceptance of one’s truth,” Davis told the audience. “We either move forward together or not at all.”
Reflecting on her journey from childhood poverty in Rhode Island to international acclaim, Davis described her path to significance through hard work and determination. The Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy winner has earned widespread praise for roles in The Help, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Doubt, and television’s How to Get Away With Murder.
Michael B. Jordan capped off the night as Entertainer of the Year, also taking home Best Actor for his dual roles in Sinners. In an emotional acceptance speech, Jordan remembered his late friend and co-star, Chadwick Boseman, and thanked his family and community in Newark, New Jersey, encouraging viewers to pursue their ambitions with humility and compassion.
Trailblazing hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa were inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame, recognised for their lasting influence on music, culture and female representation in rap. “We didn’t know we were building a movement,” said DJ Spinderella, reflecting on their career.
The ceremony was hosted by comedian Deon Cole, who combined humour with cultural commentary, referencing recent events including the BAFTA disruption involving a racial slur shouted by a Tourette syndrome advocate. Cole’s monologue highlighted both the serious and comedic aspects of navigating public events with care and awareness.
Other notable moments included Colman Domingo receiving the President’s Award for using his platform to advance social justice, and a tribute to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson by Samuel L. Jackson, recognising his decades-long activism in civil rights, voting rights, education and economic inclusion.
